Locals lend a hand to New Jersey relief efforts

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM

FALL RIVER — All in all it was a job well done.

Beth Perdue

FALL RIVER — All in all it was a job well done.

Employees of RPI Printing drove down to New Jersey in mid-November transporting supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The Fall River company had begun collecting items from area businesses and individuals who dropped them off at RPI's facility in time to make the Nov. 13 trip, according to Dave Reis, RPI controller.

Supplies were brought to the Township of Stafford Relief Center in Manahawkin, N.J., Reis said, where they were well-received.

"The relief effort was very successful," said Reis.

John Mota, RPI senior driver/shipping coordinator, drove the truck with a friend to deliver supplies.

Upon returning, Mota said the devastation he saw was overwhelming. Houses were torn apart, trees were down and folks were still without power. Being able to help people out, felt so good Mota said he wanted to do it again and again.

Both Mota and RPI received plenty of thanks from those they helped.

"Your donations were amazing and especially the blankets and bedding were already going out the door," wrote Jason Hazelton of the relief center in an email. "We cannot thank you and your community enough...If Massachusetts ever needs anything your friends in New Jersey with the funny accents (have) got your backs!!"

RPI president, Scott Ramsbottom, cooked up the plan to help New Jersey residents after seeing images of Sandy's devastation on television.

"I was going to drive down in my own truck and I thought why don't I just get a bigger truck and send it down," he said.